THE most colourful time of the year has returned, with a myriad of north Essex organisations waving the rainbow flag to celebrate Pride Month.

This month marks the 51st celebration of Pride Month - a time when millions of people come together in support of the LGBTQ+community.

It is a month filled with parades, festivals and events to honour all things LGBTQ+.

And north Essex is hosting is own celebrations of diversity and inclusivity.

Essex Fire and Rescue Service hoisted the rainbow flag outside of its Kelvedon headquarters on June 1.

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Jo Turton, Chief Fire Officer, said: “In the fire service, we are trying to change culture one conversation at a time and my challenge is to keep speaking my mind, to remain curious, to learn from others and always try to do the right thing.

“What I know and can see from the actions we’re taking here in our service is by acting together, we’re working to make an inclusive workplace we all deserve.

“Together, I really believe we can make our workplaces inclusive for everyone no matter our differences.”

Essex Police has also been proudly flying the flag outside police stations in Clacton, Walton, Thorpe and Harwich and a flag is also flying high at Colchester Town Hall.

Colchester Pride is hosting a variety of events this month to celebrate LGBTQ+ life ahead of its main event in August when Covid-19 restrictions havew been eased further.

Dan Deller-Thompson, Colchester Pride’s event co-ordinator, said the main event - which launched in the town in 2017 - is here to stay and here to slay.

He said: “After having to cancel the Colchester Pride 2020 event and move everything to an online Pride, we are excited to be able to bring the community together for Pride this year.

“Having a physical event continues to be of significant importance.

“Whilst things are certainly better than they were a few years ago, the LGBTQ+ community still faces incredible amounts of bigotry and prejudice.

“Pride is, at its heart, a protest against that bigotry and prejudice, creating a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community to express our unity in countering adversity.

“Pride is a day for all people to come together, to be visible and accepted, to be listened to and embraced, and to find a supportive network of friends; and, of course, to have a lot of fun.”

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Events Colchester Pride is holding this month include its Dance With Pride workshops which are running on June 13 and June 20 at Firstsite.

This is a free community dance class for all levels and abilities.

Artist Rebecca Buckle has created online quick craft videos which can be accessed on Colchester Pride’s YouTube channel, and artist Katie Kennedy will be delivering paint making workshops at Firstsite on June 26.

Colchester’s drag queen competition is being held on June 26.

Mr Deller-Thompson said: “Our final creative project is a drag competition called Werq in Progress.

“Over the next few weeks, 11 contestants will be mentored by four Colchester based drag artists before putting on a fabulous evening of entertainment at Solo Summers.

“We have a fantastic diverse cast, some of whom have never performed before, others who may have dipped their toe in the art of drag and want to explore it further.

“We are so proud of the lovely folk who have taken part and cannot wait to see them do their thing on stage.”

Colchester Pride’s main event is taking place on August 28. To find out more or book tickets go to colchesterpride.com.

To volunteer at Colchester Pride email volunteer@colchesterpride.com.